Fluid conditioning systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A magnet positioning system for positioning magnets inside pipes includes a first stackable paddle that includes slots for accepting magnets and a second stackable paddle that includes a metal component for attracting the magnets and securing the magnets in the slots when the paddles are stacked together. Once stacked together, the paddles are inserted into position inside a pipe and the metal component is removed to release the magnets which move toward, and attach to, the inside wall of the pipe. A fluid conduit is positioned between the magnets using a spacer and a fixing agent permanently secures the magnets, fluid conduit, and spacer in place.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 15/619,913filed on Jun. 12, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 62/348,283, filed Jun. 10, 2016 and all areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present application generally relates to conditioning fluids, andspecifically to generating metal ions in a fluid using a non-metallicextension to extend a metallic anode into a flow of the fluid.

BACKGROUND

Ions such as copper ions, iron ions, and silver ions can be used influids to inhibit growth of organisms such as bacteria, germs, and algaeor denature viruses. Ion generating systems can produce metal ions inelectrolytic fluids by placing an electrical charge on a metal anodethat is inserted into the fluid relative to a corresponding cathode. Iongenerating systems can be used in fluid systems such as municipal watersystems, private wells, and boilers, as well as process and coolingtowers. However, many ion generating systems have an inherent designflow that causes the anodes and cathodes to foul quickly due toimpurities in the fluids. Specifically, negatively charged impurities inthe fluid can attach to a positively charged anode and positivelycharged impurities can attach to negatively charged cathode. Theaccumulating impurities can coat the anodes and cathodes and inhibit thegeneration of additional ions. If enough impurities are present, it canshort out or damage the ion generating system. An example ion generatingsystem can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,949,184B2.

SUMMARY

In a first example embodiment, an ion generator for fluids includes apipe having a fluid inlet, a fluid exit, and an aperture for insertingan anode into a flow of fluid transferred between the fluid inlet andfluid exit. The ion generator includes an anode configured to be securedin the aperture. The anode includes a metallic portion such as a metalbar of iron, copper, silver, or gold that, when electrically charged, isconfigured to generate metal ions that are transferred into the fluid,and a rigid non-conductive extension that is configured to position atleast some of the metallic portion into the flow of fluid in the pipe.The fluid can be an electrolytic fluid. The rigid non-conductiveextension can be configured to position the entire metallic portion intothe flow of fluid. In a configuration, at least some of the rigidnon-conductive extension is not in a direct flow of the fluid. The anodecan include a conductor that communicates electricity through theextension into the metallic portion. The conductor is configured toallow attachment of one lead of a power source to the anode. Acomplementary electrical connection allows a second lead of the powersource to communicate electrically to the pipe which then operates asthe cathode. The electrical connection can include a clamp configured tobe secured to the outside of the pipe. The ion generator can include theassociated power source configured to generate an electric potentialbetween the anode and cathode. The ion generator can be configured toalternate the polarity of the electric potential applied to the anodeand cathode. The aperture can include a receiving fitting and the anodecan be secured to a cap that is configured to be fixably secured in thereceiving fitting. The fluid inlet of the pipe can be configured towiden from a first diameter for attaching to standardized piping to asecond larger diameter, where the second larger diameter compensates forthe insertion of the metallic portion into the fluid flow by widening soas to approximately maintain the same fluid cross section of the pipethat exists at the fluid inlet. Similarly, the fluid exit can be tapereddown to the first diameter to facilitated attachment to standardizedpiping. In a configuration, a cathode can be configured to be inside theaperture in proximity to the anode. The cathode can include a rigidnon-conductive extension and metallic portion similar to the anode. Theanode and cathode can be secured to a cap that can be configured to beremoveably secured in the receiving fitting. The power source can applyan electric voltage between the anode and cathode, and the polaritybetween the anode and cathode can be alternated, for example using aswitch.

In a second example embodiment, a method for generating ions in a fluidincludes inserting a replaceable anode that has a metallic bar and arigid non-conductive extension into a receiving aperture of a pipe thattransfers fluid between an inlet and exit of the pipe such that at leasta portion of the metallic bar is in a direct flow of the fluid and atleast a portion of the rigid non-conductive extension is not positionedin the direct flow of the fluid. The method further includes applying avoltage to the replaceable anode from an associated power supply andgenerating metal ions in the fluid from the replaceable anode as aresult of the application of the voltage. The method can includeinserting a replaceable cathode into the receiving aperture with thereplaceable anode, where at least a portion of a second metallic bar ofthe replaceable cathode is in the direct flow of the fluid and at leasta portion of a second rigid non-conductive extension is not in thedirect flow of the fluid. The method can include applying the voltagebetween the replaceable anode and the replaceable cathode for generatingthe metal ions.

In a third example embodiment, an apparatus for positioning magnets in aferrous cylinder includes a first stackable paddle have one or multipleslots each configured to accept a magnet, and a second stackable paddedhaving a ferrous rod configured to magnetically attract each of themagnets when the first and second stackable paddles are stacked. Thestacked paddles are configured to be inserted together into the ferrouscylinder. The stacked paddles are configured such that removing thesecond stackable paddle from the ferrous cylinder prior to removing thefirst stackable paddle results in each magnet magnetically attaching tothe inside wall of the ferrous cylinder. One or more gauges can beconfigured to check the placement of the magnets in the ferrouscylinder. A spacer can be configured to position a fluid conduit insiderthe ferrous cylinder in proximity of the magnets, and the space, fluidconduit, and magnets can be fixed in place with a fixing agent such as acement, glue, or other solidifying substance.

In a fourth example embodiment, an apparatus for vacuuming a water basincan include a vacuum inlet configured to remove sediment in the basethrough a vacuum line that is in fluid communication with the vacuuminlet, and a plurality of jets configured to produce horizontal streamsof water at low pressure and at low volume. The jets are configured suchthat when a jet is in proximity to a wall above a corner, at least someof the water from the jet will push at least some debris resting nearthe corner towards the vacuum inlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example pipe for transferring a fluid in anembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example anode in an embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the pipe of FIG. 1 combined with the anode ofFIG. 2 in an embodiment the present application;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example combined anode and cathode in anembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5A is a diagram of example magnet positioning paddles in anembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5B is a diagram of an example non-ferrous transfer cylinder withthe magnet positioning paddles of FIG. 5A in an embodiment of thepresent application;

FIG. 5C is a diagram of an example ferrous cylinder positioned next tothe non-ferrous transfer cylinder of FIG. 5B in an embodiment of thepresent application;

FIG. 5D is a diagram of the ferrous cylinder of FIG. 5C with magnetpositioning paddles in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5E is a diagram of example magnet positioning gauges in anembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5F is a diagram of the ferrous pipe section of FIG. 5C withpositioned magnets, spacers, and fluid conduit in an embodiment of thepresent application;

FIG. 6A is a side view of a cooling tower basin cleaner in an embodimentof the present application; and

FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the cooling tower basin cleaner of FIG. 6Ain an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a pipe 100 having a T-configuration ispresented. The pipe 100 includes a fluid inlet 102, a fluid exit 104,and an insertion aperture 106. The insertion aperture 106 includes areceiving fitting 108 and a gasket 110 configured to create a leak proofseal. Fluid in the pipe 100 flows in from the fluid input 102, past theinsertion aperture 106, and out through the fluid exit 104 asillustrated by the arrow marked “flow”.

With reference to FIG. 2, an ion generating anode 200 for use in thepipe 100 of FIG. 1 is presented. The ion generating anode 200, shownwith a partial cutaway view of the cap 208, includes the cap 208, agasket 202, a ridged non-conducting extension 204, a metallic bar 206,and a center conductor 210 that extends from outside the cap 208,through the gasket 202, through the ridged non-conducting extension 204,and into the metallic bar 206. In a configuration, the center conductor210 can be positioned off center. The metallic bar can be any suitablemetal for generating ions and any suitable shape. For example, themetallic bar can be a bar of iron, copper, silver, or gold, or anycombination of metals. The metallic bar can be solid, or can be coatedwith the desired metal. Any suitable shape such as cylindrical,rectangular, rounded or angular can be used as would be understood inthe art.

With reference to FIG. 3, an assembled ion generating system 300includes the ion generating anode 200 of FIG. 2 positioned inside thereceiving fitting 108 of FIG. 1. The ion generating anode 200 can besecured in the receiving fitting 108 using known securing features suchas screw threading or pressure coupling as would be understood in theart. The receiving fitting 108 facilitates removal and replacement ofthe ion generating anode 200. A grounding clamp 302 with an electricalcontact 304 is attached to the pipe 100, thus allowing the pipe 100 tofunction as the cathode. In a configuration, the electrical contact 304can be directly attached or integrated with the pipe 100, for exampleusing a threaded connector into the pipe or by using a nipple extendingfrom the pipe. Additional detailed descriptions associated withreference numbers in FIG. 3 can be found above for the correspondingreference numbers in the detailed description for FIGS. 1 and 2. Fluidin the pipe 100 flows from the fluid inlet 102, past the metallic bar206, and exits through the fluid exit 104 as illustrated by the arrowline marked “flow”. The ridged non-conducting extension 204 of the iongenerating anode 200 allows a portion of, or all of, the metallic bar206 to be place within the fluid flow. To prevent the metallic bar 206from restricting the fluid flow, the pipe 100 can be made wider toensure that the volumetric flow of fluid remains substantially the samewhen the metallic bar 206 is placed in the fluid flow. For example, bywidening the pipe 100 relative to the piping leading into or out of thepipe 100, the fluid cross-section of the pipe 100 can remainsubstantially the same as the fluid cross-section of the pipes leadinginto and out of the assembled ion generating system 300. For example,the fluid inlet 102 can expand from an initial internal diameter d wherethe pipe 100 connects to other piping to a larger internal diameter d′as shown. Similarly, the fluid exit 104 can taper to an internaldiameter d in order for the pipe 100 to match other piping (not shown).For example, if standard two inch piping is used as the diameter d forthe pipes leading into and out of the pipe 100, then the diameter d′ canbe widened to compensate for additional volume or cross-section occupiedby the metallic bar 206. For example, the fluid inlet can widen d′relative to d to compensate for space occupied by the metallic bar 206in the fluid flow. In various configurations, the pipe 100 can widenand/or taper suitable places along the pipe, depending upon the desiredflow characteristics and physical shape of the metallic bar 206. In analternative embodiment, the assembled ion generating system 300 can beconfigured as a side stream loop (not shown) or use other known pipingconfigurations as would be understood in the art. For example, a sidestream loop can be achieved by installing suitable throttle valves,T-shaped pipes with directional scoops, or installing separate pumpingas would be understood in the art.

In operation, a power source 306 is electrically connected to theassembled ion generating system 300 by making electric connectionsbetween the power source 306 and the center conductor 210 and electricalcontact 304 associated with the grounding clamp 302. A suitable powersource 306 can include a DC power source, such as a battery or DC-to-DCconverter, or an AC-to-DC power source that can convert 220 Volt or 110Volt line voltage to a suitable DC voltage. An example suitable DCvoltage can be approximately 12-15 Volts at 3-5 Amps, although othersuitable ranges of voltages and amperages could be used as would beunderstood in the art. A voltage can be applied to the center conductor210 and the electrical contact 304, for example a positive charge can beapplied to the center conductor 210 and a corresponding negative chargecan be applied to the electrical contact 304. When the fluid in the pipe100 is an electrolytic fluid, the voltage difference between the centerconductor 304 and electrical contact 304 can cause metal ions todisassociate from the metallic bar 206 and enter the fluid.

By placing the metallic bar 206 in the fluid flow, the fluid cancontinuously scrub the ion generating area and ensure that metal ionscontinue to be introduced into the fluid. When the fluid is underpressure, such as may occur in heating or cooling applications, thepressurized fluid provides additional scrubbing capability to the iongenerating area. Additionally, in a configuration, the power source 306can be configured to reverse polarity, causing the anode and cathode toswitch respective to one another. The reversing of the polarity can becaused by a timer as would be understood in the art.

With reference to FIG. 4, a combination ion generator 400 can includetwo or more conductive members 412, 414 that function as the anode andcathode. Advantageously, the combination ion generator 400 can be usedin situations where using the pipe as a cathode would be impractical ordisadvantageous. For example, the combination ion generator 400 allowsthe pipe to be non-conductive pipe, as the pipe is not needed as thecathode. The combination ion generator 400 can be used for extra lowmaintenance operations as the pipe would no longer experience potentialbuildup of impurities due to the pipe being used as the cathode. Also,the fluid can scrub both the anode and the cathode as both would beinserted into the fluid flow. The combination ion generator 400advantageously allows both the cathode and anode to be serviced orreplaced at the same time. Also, the combination ion generator 400advantageously allows the conductive members 412, 414 to be usedalternatively as the sacrificial anode that releases metal ions. Bypromoting even consumption of both conductive members 412, 414, theservice window for replacement can be approximately doubled comparedwith the ion generating anode 200 of FIG. 2 that only includes a singleanode and no cathode.

Each of the conductive members 412, 414 can include a rubber gasket 402for leak proof sealing, a ridged non-conducting extensions 404, ametallic bar 406, and center conductors 410 that can be positioned offcenter as shown. The conductive members 412, 414 can be connected to thecap 408 which is configured to be inserted into the receiving fitting108 of the pipe 100 of FIG. 1. As described above, a suitable powersource 306 can be attached to the center conductors 410. The polarity ofthe voltage applied to the conductive members 412, 414 can be cycledbetween a first polarity and a second polarity.

In an embodiment, a switch 416 can be used to alternate the functions ofeach the conductive members 412, 414 between anode and cathode. Forexample, the switch 416 can include a timer configured to select thefirst conductive member 412 as the anode and the second conductivemember 414 as the cathode for a first period of time, and then selectthe first conductive member 412 as the cathode and the second conductivemember 414 as the anode for a second period of time. The switch 416 thenperiodically reverses the polarities of each of the conductive member412, 414. Advantageously, the use of the switch 416 allows a standardpower source 306 to be used. In a configuration, the switching functioncan be integrated into the power source 306.

With reference to FIG. 5A, stackable non-magnetic positioning paddles502, 504, 506 are reusable devices for positioning magnets (not shown)in ferrous cylinders at specific positions to achieve precise magneticfields. The field strengths, field distances, and field patterns of themagnetic fields can be configured based on the type of fluid, thevelocity of the fluid, and the size of the fluid conduit or pipe. Withreference to FIG. 5B, gauging tools 508, 510 can assist in checking thatthe magnets inserted into the ferrous cylinders are in the properpositions at the proper depths and with proper spacing. The stackablenon-magnetic positioning paddles 502, 504, 506 and gauging tools 508,510 advantageously assist in the production and quality control ofmagnetic fluid conditioning equipment.

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5C, the stackable non-magneticpositioning paddles 502, 504, 506 are stacked together. A ferrous rod524, such as a steel rod, is positioned in a center hole in the centerstackable non-magnetic positioning paddle 504. Magnets 522 are placedinto cut outs 520 in stackable non-magnetic positioning paddles 502 and506. The magnets 522 can be any suitable size or shape, and be made ofsuitable materials such as rare earth magnets as would be understood inthe art. Stackable non-magnetic positioning paddles 502 and 506 can havecut outs 520 in different positions or can be identical, depending uponthe desired configuration of magnets 522 in the resulting ferrouscylinder 540 shown in FIGS. 5D, 5E, and 5F. Because the magnets aremagnetically attracted to the ferrous rod 524, the magnets 522 stay inplace in the cut outs 520. The stackable non-magnetic positioningpaddles 502, 504, 506 with the magnets 522 and ferrous rod 524 in placeare then placed into a non-ferrous transfer cylinder 530.

With reference to FIG. 5D, the non-ferrous transfer cylinder 530 canhave the same or a slightly smaller inside diameter than a ferrouscylinder 540 to facilitate transfer of the magnetic paddles from thenon-ferrous transfer cylinder 530 to the ferrous cylinder 540. Thenon-ferrous transfer cylinder 530 is butted up to the ferrous cylinder540. The stacked non-magnetic positioning paddles 502, 504, 506 arepushed from the non-ferrous transfer cylinder 530 into the ferrouscylinder 540. The non-ferrous transfer cylinder 530 can be set aside forfuture reuse.

With reference to FIG. 5E, the center stackable non-magnetic positioningpaddle 504 is removed from the ferrous cylinder 540. In an alternativeoperation, the ferrous rod 524 can be removed first from the center holein the center stackable non-magnetic positioning paddle 504, and thenthe center stackable non-magnetic positioning paddle 504 can be removedfrom the ferrous cylinder 540. Once the ferrous rod 524 is removed,either separately or with the center stackable non-magnetic positioningpaddle 504, the magnets 522 will attach to the inside wall of theferrous cylinder 540 due to magnetic attraction. The other stackablenon-magnetic positioning paddles 502, 506 can then be moved inward intothe space formerly occupied by the center stackable non-magneticpositioning paddle 504 and removed. Advantageously, the stackednon-magnetic positioning paddles 502, 504, 506 can have different widthsto facilitate removal of stackable non-magnetic positioning paddles 502,506. For example, the center stackable non-magnetic positioning paddle504 can have a width d, while the other stackable non-magneticpositioning paddles 502, 506 can have widths <d to allow betterclearance from the magnets 522 when removing the stackable non-magneticpositioning paddles 502, 506. The gauges from FIG. 5B can be used tocheck that the magnets 522 are correctly positioned.

With reference to FIG. 5F, a non-ferrous fluid conduit 550 can be placeddown the middle of the ferrous cylinder 540. Optional spacers 552 can beused to hold the fluid conduit 550 in place. An end cap (not shown) canbe placed on a first end of the ferrous cylinder 540 and the ferrouscylinder 540 can be placed on that end. The space between the fluidconduit 550 and the inside wall of the ferrous cylinder 540 can befilled with a fixing agent, such as a cement or quick hardening slurry,that permanently secures the magnets 522 and the fluid conduit inposition. A second end cap (not shown) can be placed on a second end ofthe ferrous cylinder 540. The end caps include apertures that allow thefluid conduit 550 to extend through the end caps. Example non-ferrousfluid conduits can include pipes or tubes as would be understood in theart. In a configuration, the magnets 522 can be shaped so as to increasecontact area with the insider wall of the ferrous cylinder 540 or toincrease the magnetic field in the non-ferrous fluid conduit 550. Forexample, the magnets 522 can have an outside arced surface ofapproximately the same radius as the ferrous cylinder 540 or an insidearced surface of approximately the same radius as the non-ferrous fluidconduit 550.

Cooling towers are typically formed with 90-degree corners and sidepanels. These sharp 90-degree angles can promote the build-up ofsediment which can become a foothold for bacteria and algae to grow andproliferate. To maintain efficiency and biological control, it can benecessary to clean cooling tower basins. In the past this has been doneusing high pressure and high volume water jets to push debris towards adrain in the basin. This requires large, expensive pumps which can leavesediment accumulations throughout the basin due to the difficulty ofmoving the debris using along a flat basin using water jets in water.

With reference to FIG. 6A, a side view of a cooling tower basin cleaner600 is presented. With reference to FIG. 6B, a bottom view of thecooling tower basin cleaner 600 is presented. The cooling tower basincleaner 600 comprises a vacuum line 602, a water return line 604, amanifold 608 having a plurality of jets 606, a spray nozzle 610, avacuum intake 614 and a plurality of wheels 616. The vacuum intake 614is in fluid communication with the vacuum line 602. The plurality ofjets 606 are in fluid communication with the water return line 604.

The water return line 604 is pressurized, and the jets 606 direct waterfrom the water return line 604 out of the jets 606 in a substantiallyhorizontal manner. When the cooling tower basin cleaner 600 is not nearan edge or corner of the basin, the water directed horizontally out ofthe jets 606 generally will not perturb sediment on the basin floor,thus allowing the vacuum intake 614 to retrieve sediment from the basinfloor and direct it into the vacuum line 602 where the sediment isremoved from the basin. When the cooling tower basin cleaner 600 is inclose proximity to an edge or corner of the basin, the water directedhorizontally out of the jets 606 will hit a wall of the basin, perturbthe water near the edge or corner, and push debris away from the wall,allowing the vacuum intake 614 to retrieve the displaced sediment. In aconfiguration, the jets 606 can be configured to be low volume and lowpressure. Advantageously, using low volume, low pressure streams canreduce the amount of perturbation of the water that otherwise could leadto the sediment being picked up, carried by currents in the water, andredeposited elsewhere in the basin. A low volume, low pressure streamfrom one or more jets 606 can gently move debris away from the wall withperturbing the debris so that the debris becomes suspending in thewater.

The spray nozzle 610 can be configured to generate a locator spray 612.For example a portion of the water from the pressurized water returnline 604 can be redirected to generate the locator spray 612. Thelocator spray 612 advantageously can provide a visible indicator to anoperator as to where the cooling tower basin cleaner 600 is within acooling tower basin. For example, the locator spray 612 can produce aripple or movement of water directly above the cooling tower basincleaner 600 that can provide a visible ripple or bubbling on the surfaceof the water that indicates the position of the cooling tower basincleaner 600 to the operator. In various configurations, the waterreturned via the water return line 604 can be substantially water, orcan include some air bubbles to aid in position detection.

The plurality of wheels 616 can be configured to move the cooling towerbasin cleaner 600 around the basin floor. For example a portion of thewater from the pressurized water return line 604 can be redirected todrive the wheels 616. In a configuration, the wheels 616 canelectrically powered for example using a battery by delivering powerand/or control signals via wires to the cooling tower basin cleaner 600.

In light of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the presentdisclosure significantly advances the art of ion generation in fluidsand magnetic conditioning of fluids. While example embodiments of thedisclosure have been disclosed in detail herein, it should beappreciated that the disclosure is not limited thereto or therebyinasmuch as variations on the disclosure herein will be readilyappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of theapplication shall be appreciated from the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for positioning magnets in a ferrouscylinder, comprising: a first stackable paddle having one or more slotseach configured to accept one of a plurality of magnets; and a secondstackable paddle configured to secure each magnet in an associated slotwhen the second stackable paddle is stacked with the first stackablepaddle, wherein the first stackable paddle and second stackable paddleare configured to be inserted together into a ferrous cylinder whenstacked, and wherein removing at least a portion of the second stackablepaddle from the ferrous cylinder prior to removing the first stackablepaddle from the ferrous cylinder releases each magnet from theassociated slot and allows each magnet to magnetically attach to aninside wall of the ferrous cylinder.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a third stackable paddle having one or more slots,each slot configured to accept an associated magnet, wherein the thirdstackable paddle is configured to be stacked with the first stackablepaddle and the second stackable paddle and inserted into the ferrouscylinder, wherein removing at least a portion of the second stackablepaddle from the ferrous cylinder releases the associated magnet from theassociated slot allowing each magnet to magnetically attach to theinside wall of the ferrous cylinder.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the second stackable paddle comprises a ferrous materialconfigured to attract each magnet and secure each magnet in theassociated slot when stacked with the first stackable paddle, andwherein removing the second stackable paddle from the ferrous cylinderreleases each magnet from the associated slot.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising: a selectively removable ferrous rod associatedwith the second stackable paddle, the ferrous rod configured to attracteach magnet and secure each magnet in the associated slot when thesecond paddle is stacked with the first stackable paddle, and whereinselectively removing the ferrous rod from the second stackable paddlereleases each magnet from the associated slot.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, wherein when the second stackable paddle is removed from the ferrouscylinder, the first stackable paddle is configured to be removable fromthe ferrous cylinder without displacing each magnet that is magneticallyattached to the inside wall of the ferrous cylinder.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a non-metallic transfer cylinder configuredto facilitate insertion of the stacked first stackable paddle and secondstackable paddle from the non-metallic transfer cylinder into theferrous cylinder.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: agauge configured to check the placement of at least one magnet in theferrous cylinder.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: afluid conduit configured to be inserted inside the ferrous cylinderproximate to the magnets attached to the inside wall of the ferrouscylinder.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a fixingagent configured to permanently secure the fluid conduit and magnetsinside the ferrous cylinder.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising: a spacer configured to position the fluid conduit inside theferrous cylinder in proximity to the magnets, wherein the spacer, fluidconduit, and magnets are configured to be fixed in place using thefixing agent.
 11. A method of positioning magnets in a ferrous cylindercomprising: inserting a magnet into a slot of a first stackable paddlehaving one or more slots configured to accept the magnet; stacking thefirst stackable paddle with a second stackable paddle that is configuredto secure the magnet in the slot; inserting the stacked first stackablepaddle and second stackable paddle into the ferrous cylinder; removingat least a portion of the second stackable paddle from the ferrouscylinder to release the magnet from the associated slot which allows themagnet to magnetically attach to an inside wall of the ferrous cylinder.12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: inserting a plurality ofmagnets into a plurality of slots of a first stackable paddle, whereinremoving the portion of the second stackable paddle releases theplurality of magnets and allows the plurality of magnets to magneticallyattach to the inside wall of the ferrous cylinder.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: inserting a second magnet into a thirdstackable paddle having one or more slots configured to accept thesecond magnet, stacking the third stackable paddle with the firststackable paddle and the second stackable paddle prior to insertion intothe ferrous cylinder, wherein removing the second stackable paddle fromthe ferrous cylinder releases the second magnet from an associated slotand allows the second magnet to magnetically attach to an inside wall ofthe ferrous cylinder.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the secondstackable paddle comprises a ferrous material configured to attract themagnet and secure the magnet in the associated slot when the secondpaddle is stacked with the first stackable paddle, and furthercomprising: removing the second stackable paddle from the ferrouscylinder to release the magnet from the associated slot.
 15. The methodof claim 11, wherein the second stackable paddle comprises a ferrous rodconfigured to attract the magnet and secure the magnet in the associatedslot when the second paddle is stacked with the first stackable paddle,and further comprising: removing the ferrous rod from the secondstackable paddle to release the magnet from the associated slot.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: inserting the stacked firststackable paddle and second stackable paddle into a non-ferrous transfercylinder prior to insertion into the ferrous cylinder, and whereininserting the stacked first stackable paddle and second stackable paddleinto the ferrous cylinder comprises pushing the stacked first stackablepaddle and second stackable paddle from the non-ferrous transfercylinder into the ferrous cylinder.
 17. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: checking the position of the magnet using a gauge configuredto check the placement of the magnet in the ferrous cylinder.
 18. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: inserting a fluid conduit insidethe ferrous cylinder proximate to the magnet attached to the inside wallof the ferrous cylinder; inserting a spacer configured to position thefluid conduit inside the ferrous cylinder in proximity to the magnet;inserting a fixing agent into the space between the fluid conduit andthe inside wall of the ferrous cylinder to fix in place the fluidconduit, the spacer, and the magnet.
 19. A system for positioningmagnets in a pipe comprising: a first paddle with slots configured toaccept magnets; a second paddle that includes a removable metal barconfigured to attract the magnets and secure the magnets in the slotswhen the second paddle is stacked with the first paddle, wherein thefirst paddle and second paddle are configured to be inserted togetherinto the pipe when stacked together, and wherein removing the removablemetal bar from the second paddle releases the magnets from the slots,allowing the magnets to move to the inside wall of the pipe.
 20. Thesystem of claim 19, further comprising: a fluid conduit configured to bedisposed inside the pipe between the magnets; a spacer configured toposition the fluid conduit inside the pipe in proximity to the magnets;a fixing agent configured to be disposed in the space between the fluidconduit, the magnets, and the inside wall of the pipe to fix in placethe spacer, the fluid conduit, and the magnets.